Flavel: "by what weak and improbable instruments"

Here's another nugget from John Flavel’s The Mystery of Providence on the surprising means God used to begin and spread the Christian movement:

On the contrary, how successful have weak and contemptible means been made for the good of the Church! Thus in the first planting of Christianity in the world, by what weak and improbable instruments was it done! Christ did not choose the eloquent orators, or men of authority in the courts of kings and emperors, but twelve poor artisans and fishermen; and these not sent together in a troop, but some to take one country to conquer it, and some another. The most ridiculous course, in appearance, for such a design as could be imagined, and yet how short a time was the Gospel spread and the Churches planted by them in the several kingdoms of the world! (pp. 33-34).